Abuse can be defined as physical, sexual, emotional, economic or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person.
Abuse Resources
All Resources listed below have been sourced from The Crisis Text Line, which can be found here:
Resources for Students
Know Your IX
For: Students, Teens | Website | Informative | Advocacy
Know Your IX is a survivor and youth-led project of Advocates for Youth that seeks to end sexual and dating violence in schools. Know Your IX educates students by teaching them about Title IX, what it offers, and by providing support for medical care, reporting abuse, and more.
Resources for All Ages
NCMEC’s CyberTipline
For: Adults| | Website | Helpline | Information/Support
NCMEC’s CyberTipline provides both a hotline and form for reporting child sexual exploitation and abuse. The service also allows for “self-reports” in instances where a minor’s own image is put online. The site also provides assistance and support to survivors and families.
Take It Down
For: All ages can use the service, but the reported images must be of minors <18 | Website || Informative/Support
NCMEC developed “Take It Down” as a method for people who may have online nude, partially nude, or sexually explicit photos and videos taken before they were 18 to take these images down at participating organizations.
Resources for Teens and/or Adults
Breaking Code Silence
For: Teens,Adults, Parents, Caregivers | Website | Advocacy | Informative
Breaking Code Silence is a network of institutional abuse survivors who were institutionalized in the U.S. through the “troubled teen industry.” Breaking Code Silence educates about the TTI, investigates programs for abuse, and advocates for youth.
Bright Sky App
For: Teens/Adults | App | Directory
Bright Sky offers a secure journal tool, links to resources, and can use location services to identify the closest shelters and domestic violence support services. The app also allows for safety planning. Note: The app is not concealed behind a different image or name once downloaded.
Cyber Civil Rights Initiative (CCRI)
For: Adults | Website | Helpline | Support | Informative | Advocacy
Provides information & support to U.S.-based adults who are survivors of imaged-based sexual abuse, including nonconsensual pornography, sextortion, and deepfakes. If someone has shared or threatened to share an intimate image of you without your consent, visit their Safety Center. (Deaf/HoH approved)
Domestic Shelters Directory
For: Adults | Directory| Website | Chat | Informative/Support
Domestic Shelters is a website that helps survivors of domestic violence learn about and locate shelters and crisis interventions services in their communities. Their site also provides informative toolkits and other resources.
Just Detention International
For: Adults | Website | Directory | Informative/Support/Advocacy
Just Detention International’s seeks to end sexual abuse in all forms of detention, and they support both currently and formerly incarcerated people. Site provides support, including counseling and legal services, through a state-by-state directory.
Know Your IX: Reporting Guide
For: Teens and Adults (College-aged) | Website | Informative
This “Know Your IX” page has compiled resources and how-tos that someone reporting violence and harassment should know. It includes information about safety planning, finding an advocate, and what to do in cases of retaliation.
My Story, My Terms
For: Teens and Adults | PDF | Interactive
“My Story, My Terms” is a workbook that supports survivors in discovering their own resilience and in learning how to tell their story with self-compassion. It invites survivors to learn about sharing their story on their terms – what parts of their story, who they tell, when and how.
My Story, My Terms
For: Teens and Adults | PDF | Interactive
“My Story, My Terms” is a workbook that supports survivors in discovering their own resilience and in learning how to tell their story with self-compassion. It invites survivors to learn about sharing their story on their terms – what parts of their story, who they tell, when and how.
SafeBAE
For: Teens | Website | Information/Advocacy
SafeBAE is a student-founded, student-led organization whose mission is to end sexual violence among middle and high school students. SafeBAE provides information on safe bystander intervention, dating and sexual violence, affirmative consent, and survivor care.
Shalom Task Force
For: Adults | Website | Helpline | Chat | Informative/Support
Shalom Task Force works to combat and prevent domestic violence. Focus on work in the Jewish community for culturally sensitive programs and support. They help promote healthy relationships and families, including a confidential hotline/chatline and some legal support.
STOPSTALKINGUS
For: Teens and Adults | Website | Informative
Stop Stalking Us is a nonprofit org focused on creating community for those impacted by stalking, through advocacy at the legislative level and by offering community events, education, and supportive resources for those experiencing or who have experienced stalking.
StrongHearts Native Helpline
For: Teens,Adults, Teens, Adults, Native Americans, Alaska Natives | Website | Chat | Support | Helpline
StrongHearts Native Helpline is a 24/7 line for domestic, dating, and sexual violence that offers culturally appropriate support and advocacy for Native Americans and Alaska Natives. Their site also includes information about abuse and identifying abuse.
Technology Facilitated Abuse
For: Adults | Webpage | Informative
Vawnet, a project of the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence, provides information and resources about abuse, domestic violence, stalking, etc. They discuss digital abuse, intimate partner violence, tech safety, and how to stay safer online.
The Network La Red
For: Adults | Website | Helpline | Support Groups
The Network/La Red is an organization that works to end abuse in LGBTQIA, kink (BDSM), and polyamorous communities. TNLR is survivor-led and committed to anti-oppression; they accomplish their work through organizing, education, and providing support services/resources.
The Strangulation Institute Resources
For: Adults | Website | Informative
The Strangulation Institute is a program of Alliance for Hope International, a nonprofit organization focused on intimate partner violence. Provides survivors of strangulation with information about what they need to know to document injuries, advocate for medical care, and plan for safety.
Thorn for Parents
For: Adults, Parents, Caregivers | Website | Interactive
Thorn for Parents is an organization that equips caregivers with tools, guides, and information about online digital safety to have honest, ongoing conversations with kids and teens regarding consent, sexuality, and privacy in the online sphere.
Learn More About Abuse
What are the different types of abuse?
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Emotional Abuse or Mental Abuse
Emotional abuse involves using words, actions, or behaviors to control, manipulate, or degrade another person. Emotional abuse can take many forms, from subtle comments to overt threats, and it can leave lasting scars on a person’s mental and emotional well-being. Learn more about the cycle of emotional abuse, types, and the signs here.
Are psychological abuse and emotional abuse the same thing?
Emotional abuse is believed to be broader and so psychological abuse is often considered to be one form of emotional abuse. Also, psychological abuse involves the use of verbal and social tactics to control someone’s way of thinking, such as “gaslighting,” which is not necessarily the same as other forms of emotional abuse. -
Domestic Abuse
Domestic abuse or domestic violence can be defined as a pattern of behavior in any relationship that is used to gain or maintain power and control over an intimate partner. This includes any behaviors that frighten, intimidate, terrorize, manipulate, hurt, humiliate, blame, injure, or wound someone.
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Verbal Abuse
Verbal abuse is using language (spoken or written) to harm somebody psychologically, emotionally or socially. Verbal abuse may escalate to other forms of abuse.
Can abuse be unintentional?
Yes, abuse can be unintentional, but abuse is always wrong and never okay. We’re here for you if you or someone you know is being abused. Text CONNECT to 741741 for 100% free, confidential, and anonymous support.
Remember, if you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, support and resources are always available. It’s never your fault, and no one deserves to face abuse. You can text CONNECT to 741741 to connect with a live volunteer Crisis Counselor for free and confidential assistance. Your privacy is our priority—text DELETE after any chat to erase the conversation completely. You are not alone, and help is just a message away.
How can I lower my anxiety?
Explore Crisis Text Line’s resources for anxiety above (hyperlink to resources above). Here are some other ways that may help to alleviate your anxiety:
- Relaxation techniques
- Deep breaths
- Physical activity
- Join a support group
Learn more about anxiety and depression
You don’t have to navigate overwhelming feelings alone. If you or someone you know is feeling stressed or anxious, we’re here to talk. Simply text CONNECT to 741741 to chat with a live volunteer Crisis Counselor, 100% free and confidential.